LGBTQ+ Adoption FAQS: Can Same-Sex Couples Adopt in Colorado?
By Melissa Camacho
If you are a birth mother experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and considering an LGBTQ+ adoption, we can help you. Adoption Choices of Colorado is a diverse adoption agency that offers every adoptive family a chance to adopt a child. We understand there are stereotypes surrounding same-sex adoption. However, nothing will prevent you from choosing your adoption. Every birth mother has her own unique standards and preferences in selecting an adoptive family with CO adoption. Our private adoption Colorado agencies will provide you with the answers and resources to locate an LGBTQ+ adoption family. If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
LGBTQ + Adoption FAQS
1. Do Same-Sex Couples have Petition Rights for a Joint Adoption in Colorado?
Same-sex couples have marriage rights as per The Colorado Civil Union Act. Petition rights to a joint adoption are given to married same-sex /LGBTQ+ couples. Therefore, if LGBTQ + couples are not married, then separate petitions are needed for each individual to adopt.
2. Why Would Same-Sex Couples or LGBTQ+ Single Parents be Open to Adoption?
LGBTQ+ adoptive families want to adopt a child for the same reasons single parents and a married male and female couple would. An LGBTQ+ adoptive family wants to raise a child with love and attention. One reason can be their willingness to create a bigger family. Another reason can be the inability to have children. Why not adopt a child? It can help them expand the loving nature of LGBTQ+ families by setting an example to the adoption community. Throughout time, more LGBTQ+ families will be more respected in society.
3. Do all LGBTQ+ Adoptive Families Go through Background Checks?
Yes, every single type of adoptive family in Colorado must go through a home study process. Therefore, This is an essential part of your adoption plan. A home study, as conducted by a caseworker, will ensure your child is placed in a safe and healthy home. The adoptive family will go through criminal background checks. In addition, the adoptive family will need to present legal documents, such as marriage and birth certificates. To ensure your child will be supported financially, monthly bills and statements will be reviewed. Face-to-face visits and interviews with the adoptive family will also be required to complete the home study process.
4. Will My Child Become Emotional Growing Up Without a Mother or Father If Adopted by LGBTQ+ Adoption?
There are pros and cons for a child growing up in an LGBTQ+ family. You are in control of creating an adoption plan that fits your values and interests. However, it is our job to make you aware of any disadvantages in your adoption options. For one, it can be hard for a child to not have a mother or father growing up. Your child may develop emotional distress due to parental absence. LGBTQ+ has been more accepted by society today. On the other hand, your child may grow up to be highly educated about different gender orientations. Children who grow up with LGBTQ+ parents learn about having empathy for others and embracing diversity.
5. How Can I Choose a Same-Sex Adoptive Family?
Our adoption agencies in Colorado are very resourceful in helping you choose an adoptive family. Visit our waiting families page to view and navigate a list of LGBTQ+ adoptive family profiles. You can learn about their culture, lifestyles, educational background, and the type of home you would consider for your child. In addition, you can filter your search options by location, pets, number of household members, and oldest or newest waiting families. As you browse through, you will see family profile pictures with the names of potential adoptive parents. Furthermore, you can use the navigation icons in each profile to view their digital flipbooks and contact information.
6. How can I Keep in Touch with My Child’s LGBTQ+ Adoptive Family When My Adoption is Complete?
After the adoption process is complete, an open adoption will provide limitless ways for you to get in contact with the LGBTQ + adoptive parents. You can maintain contact through phone calls, letters, social media, video chats, and family visits. There are no restrictions in place with choosing a semi-adoption or closed-adoption.
7. Will an LGBTQ+ Adoptive Family be Able to Provide for My Child?
To ensure your child will be supported financially and emotionally, a caseworker will plan a home study to investigate the LGBTQ+ adoptive family. This will include background checks, a review of financial statements, birth certificates, and marriage certificates. In addition, the caseworker will investigate the LGBTQ+ adoptive family’s home to ensure it’s a healthy environment for your child.
8. Can it be More Challenging to Choose a Same-Sex Adoption?
Birth mothers may find it more difficult to place a baby up for adoption with LGBTQ+ adoption. This can be due to a few reasons:
- Your child may grow to experience discrimination from anti-LGBTQ+ individuals or groups
- It can have an emotional impact on your child
- At times, your child may feel isolated or discouraged from making friends with other kids
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we strive to combat negativity against diversity. Even if these barriers are a possibility, LGBTQ+ adoption strengthens our adoption community because of their outstanding qualities. LGBTQ+ adoptive families teach children about love and respect for one another. Plus, Colorado has state laws that protect LGBTQ+ adoption. Reach out to our adoption agencies in Colorado to get counseling in weighing out your adoption options with LGBTQ+ adoption.
Adoption Choices of Colorado is an LGBTQ+ Friendly Adoption Agency
Our private adoption Colorado agencies work with our birth mothers to increase LGBTQ+ adoption awareness. We keep the adoption love cycle going through the inclusiveness of every type of adoptive family. Every birth mother has a right to choose any suitable adoptive family to adopt her child. We join our birth mothers in making adoption evolve to solve unplanned pregnancy issues. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!